Hand tool



Au 8, 1939., H p V N KEUREN 2,168,812

HAND TOOL Filed Dec. 14, 1936 v s Sheets Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 8, 1939. VAN KEUREN 2,168,812

HAND TOOL Filed Dec. 14, 1936 3 sheetssheet 2 f 37? y A ZZ/ a QZZ:

g 3, H. P. VAN KEUREN 2,168,812

HAND TOOL Filed Dec. 14, 1936 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 8, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 1| TOOL Henry F. Van Keuren; Watertown, Mass. I Application December 14, 1936, Serial No. 115,665

. 7 Claims. (Cl. 311-134) My invention relates to hand tools such as pliers, cutters, etc., capable of diversified functions.

' The object of my invention is to increase the utility of such too I attain this object by the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings, which are illustrative, merely by way of example, of preferred embodiments of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3 are plan views which illustrate so 'called longnose pliers. Figure 4 is a plan view of the same pliers in the same open position as shown in Figure 2; but partly broken away, to more clearili ly illustrate the position of the links connecting the levers. Figure 5'is a fragmentary plan view, illustrating the same pliers at almost the halfway point in the rotative movement from lier" position shown in Figure 1 to prier position 2 shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a plan view oi gripping and cutting pliers, the levers of which are movably held together by links on the outside. Figure 7 is a plan view of pliers, the levers of which are movably held together by links having sharpened edges to provide cutting means.

Figure 8 is a plan view, partly-broken away, illustrating the pliers shown in Figure 7, in closed position.

- Fig. 1 shows pliers similar to so called combizm nation pliers used by mechanics and others the world over. They are adapted to cut wire, cotter keys, etc.; they fulfill the usual plying functions oi ordinary pliers which include gripping, holding. b nding, folding, doubling, turning, twisting, forming, molding, etc.; but in addition thereto, they are adapted for use in a reverse manner as priers--i. e. for prying things open or apart; gripping internally and turning, twisting, or unscrewing things such as sockets of 40 broken lamp bulbs, screw bushings, etc. adjusting or spacing parts; removing snap lock-rings; expanding piston rings; and for a great many other purposes.

Fig. 2 shows the same pliers partly open. Fig.

as 3 shows the tool-in reversed position as -priers.

This position is reached merely by a continuation of handle opening movement through 190 degrees plus halt the nose angle for each handle-thus passing each other-or the same position may be 5 reached by holding one handle stationary and revolving the other 360 degrees plus the nose angle. Theiaws turn inside out and the pliers thus truly become prie In detail, the construction is such that there A u are two levers L having jaws i and I which may drawings.

be forged or stamped integrally with handles 2 and 4 respectively. The resulting jaw-handle members or levers L are preferably identical parts and are provided with offset portions l5 which align the jaws or noses when the members are I assembled as in the drawings. Identical linkmembers 5 are pivotally fastened as at 6 to and between said levers L as shown.

The links are assembled as shown-crossed between the .iaw-handle members- -while pivots or 10 pins 6 are headed or riveted pver in suitably located holes in said members.

A crossed or triangulated four point reversible linkage is thus formed between said levers L and provides, at the intersection of the center ll lines of the links, an imaginary and movable fulcrum for all plier or prier functions. The reversible or rotative movement of said links 5 and levers L from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 3 is possible because during said movement there is no abutting or clashing of parts until said movement is completed by the meeting of opposing jaws i and 3 which are in alinement with each other. Said links 5 are so positioned that they can be moved past each other and said levers L are so positioned that they likewise can move past each other and past said links, so that themovement of said levers L from plier to prier position, and vice versa, is unimpeded, each part being in a diiferent plane of movement. When my tool is closed in plier position the inner surfaces of the jaws abut as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, and when it is closed in prier position theouter surfaces of said jaws abut as illustrated in Figure 3 of the In each instance the line of contact said jaw surfaces preferably is in direct alinement with the longitudinal axis of my tool.

, Jaws l and 3 are each provided with wire cutting edges i. It may be noted that, in the center, the Jaw-handle members are spaced apart laterally 'by the combined thickness of the two links.- Also handles 2 and'fl move in two parallel planes in order that they may pass each other in reversing the tool.

Fig. 4 shows pliers having curved links 9 pivotally secured on the outside of levers L by means of pins or studs i0 thus enabling cutting edges 8 to be located much nearer the fulcrum with resultant increase in cutting leverage.

Figures 7 and 8 show pliers having curved links Ll, provided with cutting edges i i said links I! being pivotally secured between levers L by means of pins or studs l4. Said levers L have abutments l2 so located as to grip or stop a piece from moving out of the recess R formed between said jaws I and 3 while it is being out 01f by cutting edges ll. Said abutments l2 project inwardly towards each other beyond the inner edgesof said jaws l and 3; but are spaced apart when the jaws are wide open. when the cutting edges H commence to cut the piece P in said recess B said abutments have been moved by the closing action of said jaws so close to each other that they have constricted or closed the space between them, thereby providing an abutment or barrier which prevents said piece P from passing out of said recess R during the cutting operation, as illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings. A very powerful leverage is thus provided by this construction due to the ratio of the relatively large handle motion to the relatively small cutter movement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A tool comprising two levers each having a handle and a jaw in offset relation to said handle, said handles being in parallel and spaced planes of movement and said jaws being in the same plane of movement whereby said jaws will abut against each other when said tool is closed, and links crossing each other in parallel and spaced planes of movement intermediate the planes of said levers pivotally fastened to and between said levers, said links being so positioned with relation to each other and to said levers that said levers may be moved by a rotative movement from a position where the inner surfaces of said two jaws abut to a position where the outer surfaces of said two jaws abut.

2. A tool comprising two levers each having a handle and a jaw in offset relation to said handle, said handles being in different planes of movement whereby they are adapted to be moved across each other, said jaws being in the same plane of movement whereby they abut each other when saidtool is closed, and links pivotally fastened to said levers and spacing them apart, said links being in different planes of movement whereby they are adapted to be moved across each other, the different planes being parallel to each other, said handles and links each being in a different plane of movement whereby said levers can be moved from a, position in which the inner surfaces of said jaws abut each other to a. posi' tion where the outer surfaces of said jaws abut each other, said levers being so positioned that when said inner surfaces of said jaws directly face but are spaced from each other said levers cross each other and movement of said handles toward. each other moves said jaws toward each other, while when said outer surfaces of said jaws directly face but are spaced from each other said levers are uncrossed and movement of said handles toward each other moves said jaws away from each other.

3. A tool comprising two levers each embodying a jaw and a handle, two links between and pivotally fastened to said levers, a portion of each link being to the rear of said jaws, said portions being so positioned that they can be moved crosswise of each other during the closure movement of said levers, part of said portions having opposed intersecting sharpened edges to thereby provide cutting means at the rear of said aws.

4. A tool comprising two levers and two links between said levers, and means pivotally fastening said levers to said links, said levers and links being in parallel and spaced planes of movement whereby they can. be moved across each other in two opposite directions, said levers embodying jaws in oifset relation to said handles so positioned relative to each other and of such shape that they abut against each other when said levers are moved to closed position in either of said two opposite directions.

5. A tool comprising two levers, each having a handle and a jaw in ofiset relation to said handle, means to the rear of said jaws movably conmeeting said levers together and there holding themin spaced relation, said handles being in parallel and spaced planes of movement, said jaws being in the same plane of movement whereby they will abut against each other when said tool is closed, said handles, jaws and means being so positioned with relation to each other that said levers may be moved by a rotative movement from a position where the inner surfaces of said two jaws abut to a position where the outer surfaces of said two jaws abut, the inner surfaces and the outer surfaces of said two jaws being so shaped that when either pair of said surfaces abut the line of union is substantially straight and in direct alinement with the longitudinal axis of said tool.

6. A tool comprising two levers each having a handle and a jaw in offset relation to a portion of said handle, said jaws being in the same plane of movement and so shaped that their inner surfaces will abut at the completion of one closing movement and their outer surfaces will abut at the completion of another closing movement, means intermediate the ends of said levers movably holding said portions of said handles together in parallel and spaced planes of movement, said levers and means being so formed and so positioned relative to each other that said portions and means can permit movement of said levers across each other by a rotative movement until the inner surfaces or the outer surfaces respectively of said jaws abut each other.

'7. A tool comprising two levers each embodying a. jaw and a handle, two links between and pivotally fastened to said levers, portions of said links being at the rear of said jaws and so positioned that they can be moved across each other during the closure movement of said levers, part of said portions having sharpened edges to thereby provide cutting means, said levers having abutment portions opposite to and extending towards each other and forwardly of said sharpened edges when said levers are in an open position, said levers being so formed and positioned that a. space is left rearwardly of and is partly overhung by said abutment portions and adjacent of said sharpened edges to receive a member to be cut when said levers are in an open position.

HENRY P. VAN KEUREN. 

